Steel Dragon survives fiery Townsville battle
The Ray Long-trained two-year-old, Steel Dragon, blew away the darling of this season’s QTIS 600 on Monday, March 8, 2010.
Robert Bradshaw’s two-year-old filly Tough Luck has been well advertised as the success story of the QTIS 600 Sales, however in the $150,000 Harvey Norman QTIS 600 2YO Plate 1200m at Townsville she was no match for the mighty northern gelding Steel Dragon.
Long’s Hidden Dragon gelding looks set for a South-East Queensland campaign after racing midfield until the Cluden Park straight where jockey Peter Cullen let him down to impressively leave the competition in his wake.
“We expected it,” said excited owner Graham Nicolls. “The jockey’s been telling us that he hasn’t let her go yet, and the trackwork rider has said the same.
10 March 2010
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Hidden trap snares race favourite
After only two starts the Robert Heathcote-trained Hidden Kisses has possibly too many options in her blossoming career.
While connections have half an eye on the $300,000 Group 1 Sires’ Produce at Randwick on April 10, Melissa Leitch, a spokesperson for the Heathcote stables while Robert and his family enjoy a break, offered a different and more travel friendly option.
An assault on the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival could become a reality via the $250,000 QTIS 600 2YO Handicap 1200m held at the Gold Coast on Saturday, March 20, which coincides with the much anticipated QTIS 600 Yearling Sales on March 21 and 22.
1 March 2010
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The Dulacca Jet lands a QTIS 600 windfall
The latest chapter in this year’s lucrative QTIS 600 Race Series was fought out at the Dalby and Northern Downs Jockey Club’s picturesque Bunya Park racecourse.
Big fields greeted the enthusiastic oncourse punters, and the feature $50,000 QTIS 600 2YO Plate 1000m on Saturday, February 13 produced a head-bobbing result with less than a length covering the first four placings.
The Craig Smith-trained Lambert, ridden by apprentice Rowan Cox, looked to have the $32,000 first place cheque all sewn up to record two wins from two outings.
However it was the Toowoomba-based Dulacca Jet, for trainer Kevin Kemp and jockey Jason Warrington, that stole the show by half a neck.
After placing sixth twice, at Doomben and the Gold Coast, the two-year-old filly by Jetspur, out of Pentagonal, produced a spirited run to collect her first prizemoney return for owners Brian and Kaylene Gibson.
Kemp is seriously considering an assault on the $250,000 QTIS 600 2YO Plate on the Gold Coast as part of the race series on Saturday, March 20, which precedes the 2010 QTIS 600 Magic Millions Yearling Sales on Sunday, March 21 and Monday, March 22.
Dulacca Jet was purchased for $40,000 at last year’s QTIS 600 Sales and looks primed for a return to the glitter strip according to Kemp.
“We’ll just follow these (QTIS 600 Race Series) around now. There’s a nice one over 1200m at the Gold Coast. I’d love her there,” he said.
“She proved today that the 1000m is going to be a bit short even next start.”
Lambert, a gelding by Oarsman, held onto second place for connections, which includes Smith’s son Tyson.
Smith also purchased the two-year-old at last year’s QTIS 600 Sales for $18,000 and gave Tyson a share in the horse as a 21st birthday present.
Lambert subsequently had his maiden run on his home track at Roma on Tyson’s 22nd birthday, Saturday, November 21, 2009, and dashed home for a long neck present, which included a $5600 QTIS 600 and QTIS race bonus.
The result at Dalby will see Lambert also aimed at further success in the race series which concludes on Saturday, July 10 at Eagle Farm with a $250,000 lure for two-year-olds.
“I gave my son and my foreman a share in him and it’s the first horse they’ve raced, so they’re rapt,” Smith said.
“That’s the aim to have a crack at the Race Series further, because I think he’ll get a bit better as he gets over a bit further distance.
“This is what it’s all about. There’s about seven owners and a few came out and it is the first time they’ve been to a country meeting.”
Toowoomba-based trainer Lex Fraser provided the third placed True Blue Angel, ridden by Chris Maund.
The two-year-old filly has made a habit out of being third past the post, producing the result four times from her six starts which include campaigns in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ipswich.
Dalby and Northern Downs Jockey Club president, Michael Kelly, is looking forward to the possibility of hosting the event next year and explains the impact of QTIS 600 on the region.
“The Dalby club has received enormous promotion from the QTIS 600 race,” he said. “Having a $50,000 race for two-year-olds is something to talk about.
“We have had a two-year-old race programmed at this meeting previously, and it’s had to be cancelled because there haven’t been enough horses training. QTIS 600 has certainly brought the horses on, and brought owners into racing.
“I know that Brian and Kaylene bought that horse (Dulacca Jet) specifically to race in these races.”
Ross Dowd - Queensland Racing
15 February 2010
Tough Luck for rivals in QTIS 600 series
Tough Luck has returned to the winners’ circle in red hot form on his home track in the Gary Crick Auto Group QTIS 600 2YO Plate 1200m on Sunday, January 17.
Sunshine Coast Turf Club played host to the second instalment of the rich QTIS 600 race series and offered a $150,000 carrot, which attracted a crack field of eligible two-year-olds.
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18 January 2010
Raise glows in the sun
Breaking through for a maiden win on a beautiful day at Doomben on Saturday, December 5 was promising filly Raise Up.
The Kelly Schweida-trained two-year-old did not have it all her own way in the Rhino Blanket QTIS 600 2YO Handicap 1110m, but a patient ride by Damian Browne returned a financial boost for connections.
Raise Up is registered for QTIS added stakes and hence collected $53,000 in prizemoney, which included a $21,000 QTIS bonus.
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8 December 2009
QTIS 600 clean-sweep at Roma
A total of $8000 in QTIS and QTIS 600 bonuses were on offer on Roma Cup Day in the McInnes Wilson QTIS 600 2YO Handicap 1000m, and that is exactly what ended up in the coffers of connections.
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23 November 2009
In Reflection QTIS 600 registration is a necessity
Talk around racing circles has definitely been focussed on Queensland’s added stakes incentive in recent times, and with good reason as registered horses each week are returning impressive sums of money for their connections.
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23 November 2009
Owners fulfilling dreams with the scheme
QTIS and QTIS 600 registered horses won a total of $188,000 in prizemoney on Saturday, November 14 from only two races at Eagle Farm.
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16 November 2009
North Queenslander Tastes QTIS 600 Success
Today's meeting at Cannon Park, Cairns, produced the first QTIS 600 restricted race winner with the Charters Towers trained Whitsunday Express taking out the $50,000 feature event.
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24 October 2009
Steel Dragon strengthens his worth in Pallarenda Stakes
In his maiden race, Steel Dragon has already recouped his purchase price for his owners by winning the first race of the season to carry QTIS 600 bonuses, the Pallarenda Stakes 2YO Maiden Plate 1000m at Townsville on Tuesday, October 6
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QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – October 7
$640,000 QTIS 600 commitment to country three-year-olds
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The March 2009 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Sale received a welcome boost today, through the announcement that Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) will include three-year-old's within the QTIS 600 scheme at country race meetings. This decision will deliver an additional $640,000 in QTIS 600 bonuses to country stakeholders.
QRL chairman, Mr Bob Bentley said today's announcement follows consultation with key stakeholder groups who have raised concerns with the QTIS 600 opportunities available throughout regional Queensland.
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QTIS 600 Sale attracts quality catalogue
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The inaugural QTIS 600 Sale scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2009 on the Gold Coast has attracted a quality catalogue of 468 QTIS yearlings.
Magic Millions have finalised the catalogue, which is highlighted by representation by all of Queensland’s proven stallions, a number of emerging stars and plenty of QTIS eligible breedback entries.
Whilst the catalogues are currently being printed, catalogue information can be accessed via www.getintoracing.com.au/qtis600sales.html.
Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) chairman, Mr Bob Bentley said, “Whilst the current economic crisis has impacted on the number of entries received for the inaugural QTIS 600 Sale, I am overwhelmed by the quality of entries received.”
“The sale has been supported by all of Queensland’s major breeders’ and the calibre of yearlings catalogued is a great show of faith in this exciting new sale and associated restricted race and bonus series.
“Queensland has always been a state that supports first season sires and the QTIS 600 Sale provides a great opportunity for buyers to enter the market in this manner.
“This sale has catalogued quality yearlings by Bradbury’s Luck (19), Break the Vault (15), Ferocity (20), Hidden Dragon (27), Jet Spur (25) and the first Australian crop from Greenwood Lake (15).
“In addition, large numbers of offspring from Queensland’s leading stallions Sequalo (28), Show a Heart (15) and Falvelon (13) are also catalogued for sale and this will be the last chance for buyers to purchase stock by the ill-fated Iglesia (23).
“The sale also offers a number of quality breedback entries with key stallions, Choisir, Commands, Danehill Dancer, Danzero, Fastnet Rock, Hussonet, Lohnro, Reset, Snitzel and Starcraft all represented.
“QRL has made a major commitment in the Queensland racing and breeding industries through the conduct of the QTIS 600 Sale and restricted race and bonus series. The sale offers the opportunity to race for $16.1 Million in added stakes and QTIS 600 restricted races.
“QRL, in conjunction with Magic Millions, has undertaken an extensive marketing and promotional campaign aimed at increasing first time ownership. This campaign follows on from the, ‘It’s actually more fun if you’re actually there’ promotion, which has provided extremely positive outcomes for those clubs featured to date,” said Bentley.
QRL will be conducting a number of information sessions to outline the advantages of QTIS 600 and additionally, tours to the sale from regional areas are being subsidised.
More information can be accessed via www.getintoracing.com.au or by calling 1800 200 057.
For further information please contact QRL racing services manager, Mr Paul Brennan on 07 3869 9721.
QTIS 600 Magic Millions Sale a Success
Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) racing services manager, Mr Paul Brennan, has hailed the inaugural QTIS 600 yearling sale a success.
The sale was run over two days at the Magic Millions complex on the Gold Coast and was backed by the biggest incentive scheme ever seen in Australia of $16.745 million.
The sale attracted a catalogue of 468 lots exclusively from Queensland Thoroughbred Investment Scheme (QTIS) registered yearlings.
“The sale was extensively marketed throughout the state and the response from regional Queensland was outstanding. All parts of Queensland were represented and this involvement contributed to the overall success of the sale. Another pleasing result was the involvement of renowned syndicators, Hancox Bloodstock and Slade Bloodstock, who are taking their first foray into racing in Queensland.” said Mr Brennan.
“This sale is vitally important to racing throughout Queensland and will ensure the ongoing viability of the state’s breeding industry. Queensland Racing recognise the importance of having a strong state based breeding industry and are committed to the ongoing support of this initiative.
“The Get Into Racing marketing campaign opened new market opportunities and the added benefits offered by Queensland Racing provide a real incentive to buy a yearling. Ultimately, owners need to have a realistic expectation that they can get a return out of their purchase.”
Magic Millions managing director Mr David Chester said the average sale price was $18,424 and the clearance rate of 81% was above expectations.
The top price yearling was a Lion Heart-Sparkling Success colt that fetched $130,000.
“I think this is a great initiative, and the rest of Australia's watching this sale. I would say it would be the best sale of the year. It has got the Queensland breeding market off its knees,” said Mr Chester.
Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association president, Mr Bob Frappell said, "the bidding has been sustained throughout the entire sale which is excellent, considering the trend in other states.”
“Queensland Racing, Magic Millions and Aushorse are to be congratulated for their support of this initiative, which has led to the development of a niche market. I look forward to continuing this relationship to ensure 2010 maintains the momentum generated by this sale.”
The sale concluded on the Gold Coast last night and will be an annual event in the future.
SOURCE - https://www.queenslandracing.com.au/racingnews/310309QTIS600Success.asp
31 March 2009
Phone 1800 200 057 or email qtis600@queenslandracing.com.au